Man Captures Suspects After Robbery

August 4, 1985|By Yvonne C.T. Vassel and Prakash Gandhi of The Sentinel Staff

WINTER PARK — An Altamonte Springs man said he used a pistol to capture two people involved in a purse snatching.

Adam Russell, 23, told police that shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday he saw a male struggle with a woman and take her purse in the parking lot of the Winter Park Mall.

The thief sped off in a car driven by another male, but Russell, who was accompanied by his wife, said he chased the suspects in his car.

When both cars stopped at a traffic light at Morse Boulevard and Orlando Avenue, Russell got a .357 Magnum out of his car and ordered the two people to get out and lie on the ground until police arrived.

''I was the only one around and I knew that they would get away unless I could stop them,'' said Russell, of Beechwood Avenue.

''I wasn't afraid of what I was doing. If the same circumstances arose again, I would do the same.

''If you saw an incident like this and ignored it, I think there would be something wrong with you.''

Police said the victim, Marlene Cooper, 37, of Orlando, was taken to the Naval Regional Medical Center where she was treated for cuts and bruises. She got back her purse and its contents. Those items were found in the suspects' car, according to police.

Robert Michmerhuizen, 18, of Zeeland, Mich., and a 17-year-old boy from Holland, Mich., were charged with strong arm robbery.

Michmerhuizen was being held in the Orange County Jail Friday on $2,500 bond. The 17-year-old was being held in the county's juvenile detention center.

Police spokesman Richard Nuss said that although Russell could have been injured, he is to be commended.

''He did what he thought he had to do at the time,'' said Nuss. ''We appreciate his help in apprehending the robbers. Obviously the fact they were both from Michigan meant we probably wouldn't have caught them without his help. As long as no one got hurt we can't condemn his action.''